So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
So quickly time will come and time will go
It runs on by
It steals your hopes and dreams and one last chance
You never know
I can see it now
I can feel its scolding hand
Saying come on now you've got to run
You wonder can you stop the hands of time
Erase your fate
He's laughing, knowing that he's got control
Just watch and wait
I can see it now
I can hear the whispered voice
Telling me now you've got no time to waste
It's a matter of time
It's just a matter of time
And you've got to see
You have the answer, you have the strength
There's no denying it's in your hands
It's in your hands
It's a matter of time
Living breathing touching feeling
Hoping dreaming still deceiving
Searching finding losing crying
Know the truth you're dying
Oh you're dying
It's a matter of time
Remember who you are and what you have
The time is yours
Your flame is burning down so guard it well
It may go out
I can see it now
I can see the end of time
Holding the answers to all your fears
It's a matter of time
It runs on by
It steals your hopes and dreams and one last chance
You never know
I can see it now
I can feel its scolding hand
Saying come on now you've got to run
You wonder can you stop the hands of time
Erase your fate
He's laughing, knowing that he's got control
Just watch and wait
I can see it now
I can hear the whispered voice
Telling me now you've got no time to waste
It's a matter of time
It's just a matter of time
And you've got to see
You have the answer, you have the strength
There's no denying it's in your hands
It's in your hands
It's a matter of time
Living breathing touching feeling
Hoping dreaming still deceiving
Searching finding losing crying
Know the truth you're dying
Oh you're dying
It's a matter of time
Remember who you are and what you have
The time is yours
Your flame is burning down so guard it well
It may go out
I can see it now
I can see the end of time
Holding the answers to all your fears
It's a matter of time
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This is one of those multi-level meaning songs. On one level, they're talking about the temporary status of life; nobody can live forever. On another level, they're talking about the temporary nature of the entertainment industry; nobody can be on top forever. Although you cannot completely win either way, you have enough power to make you way through life.